Pocket Rocket

March 10, 2008 by Darren
Filed under: Kit Review 

Yesterday it was the turn of the Pocket Rocket for making a brew.

I chose one of my usual spots for brewing up that offered me a view across the tree tops that hide Farnborough. You can almost imagine whilst sitting there taking in the world that Farnborough isn’t there.

My piece and quiet was interrupted constantly by mountain bikers. It seems that Sunday morning is the hip in time for mountain bikers to be out doing their thing.

Back to the Pocket Rocket. This mornings brew up required the use of of the wind shield. In use the Pocket Rocket did as intended and bought the water for the brew to a boil in a quick time.

For me I have some niggles about the Pocket Rocket that mean it won’t be one of the first stoves I think of for a trip. To me the Pocket Rocket supports that you rest your pot on seemed very flimsy, almost unstable with a pot on.

The plastic case that the Pocket Rocket came with I soon ditched. Firstly because it made the whole thing heavier, I think a lighter alternative could of been found. Secondly it was very awkward getting the Pocket Rocket in and out of the case. Mainly due to some warping of the plastic case.

Another feature I didn’t like was the lack of a Piezo electric ignition. It may of made the Pocket Rocket a little heavier, but not that much, and it would of made things a lot more convient. But that is a personal preference, for others they may find this lack of Piezo ignition an attraction.

Some how I’ve ended up doing like a mini group test of stoves. I think some people will be missing stuff like from my write ups. Stuff like how long exactly the stoves took to bring the water to a boil (which would mean me having to measure the amount of water I used each time), which were the most fuel efficient etc.

For me those sort of questions are the secondary ones. The important ones are if it seems to boil water quickly then that is enough for me (heck what else are you doing in camp that is so important that you need every minute you can?) I need to know if the stove will fit with a gas canister inside the pot I choose to take with me. I need to know if the stove works for me. Does it have all the features I like in a stove?

I’m luckier than most being able to choose from a growing little collection. What’s left to brew up with? Well we have a proper pepsi can stove, plus a triad stove as well to look at. Plus I’m thinking about getting my hands on a White Box Alcohol Stove. Although there is a new model on the horizon which will be interesting to compare the two models against each other.

I’m going to try and borrow Martin’s mini trangia to have a play with that. I’d like to try a wood burning stove at some point, and I haven’t even looked at multi fuel stoves yet. So still lots of goodies out there to play with.

Into The Wild Arrived…

and I’ve watched it this evening. Wow, what a great movie. I liked the book, and think they have done a really good job of bringing this to the big screen. Even knowing the ending before hand, Kate still cried at the end!

If you haven’t got this yet, rush out and get it now. You won’t be disappointed.

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Comments

6 Comments on Pocket Rocket

  1. Dawn on Tue, 11th Mar 2008 9:55 am

    2. My sentiments on the pocket rocket exactly. Mind, I did warn you!

  2. Weird Darren on Tue, 11th Mar 2008 11:52 am

    3. Dawn,
    yes you did. And thank you for letting me have this one to play with.

  3. Steve on Thu, 3rd Apr 2008 5:33 am

    4. I agree with your comments concerning the PR.

    You could try the

    Markhill Peak Ignition Titanium Backpacking Stove 88g (3oz)

    source:

    http://knradventuregear.com/stoves_lanterns/markill_stoves/hotrod.htm

    which has both Piezo electric ignition and excellent pot supports.

    Or, alternatively, the

    Brunton Raptor Stove 147 g (5oz)

    source:

    http://www.gearforadventure.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BRNRaptor&click=16

  4. Darren on Thu, 3rd Apr 2008 7:49 am

    5. Steve,
    thanks for the comment. I already have the Peak Ignition. Which I will be taking on this years TGOC with me.
    Not seen the other stove, and thanks for recommending it.

  5. Ed on Fri, 27th Feb 2009 10:36 pm

    6. Interesting comments. I’ve always thought the Pocket Rocket a bit over hyped – there’s plenty of alternatives around. I’ve written a review of the a Coleman F1 Lite if anyone’s interested

  6. Darren on Sun, 1st Mar 2009 9:01 am

    7. Ed,
    indeed there are plenty of alternatives, as my recent video if the Snow Peak Lite Max stove shows.

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